Title: The Dating Policy
Author: Suzanne Eglington
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1984535047
Pages: 192
Genre: Romance/Erotica
Interviewed by: Ella Vincent
Today we are talking to Suzanne Eglington, author of “The Dating Policy.”
HBR: The Dating Policy is a steamy book, but also has touches of romance. Was it important to have that balance in the novel? I want the reader to experience love for the first time through Mallory Kennedy’s eyes. She never trusted a relationship to move past the like stage where all her comforts were met and she could bail from a relationship when it got too comfortable. Mallory made a promise to be open to love and with love comes the romance that is the most fun in relationships.
HBR: Mallory is an independent woman and not a damsel in distress in The Dating Policy. How crucial was it to have such a strong career woman for a protagonist? With so many amazing women securing their career first and relationship second; it was crucial for Mallory to play that role. That is until Todd came around and made her feel an attraction that she didn’t know how to deal with at first.
HBR: The Dating Policy is a timely book about romance in the workplace. What effect do you think the Me Too movement will have on workplace romances in the future? I had the idea of writing this novel from my business ethics class I took a year ago. We had gone over a case about dating amongst employees. Sexual harassment should never be tolerated. There are distinct behavioral patterns between harassment and mutual attraction. With so many women in corporate jobs and all the time they put into work, sometimes it is the only place to find a relationship. I agree there should be rules but there should also be some formal paperwork that would not hold the company responsible if two people in the same company wanted to date.
HBR: Your writing is so effortless and still emotional. Which writers have inspired you? When I can read, I love reading Jeaniene Frost, Patricia Briggs, Sylvia Day, Stephenie Meyer, and currently I am addicted to textbooks. I have been hitting the criminal justice track pretty hard lately.
HBR: What do you want readers to understand from The Dating Policy? The Dating Policy is finding love in the most unlikely place between two very different characters. With all the issues of work related sexual harassment, I wanted to give a positive spin that even in the cooperate world, you might find the love of your life.